“And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.” Revelation 16:16
The Greek word for “place” is:
Topos – lit. – a place geographically
Topos – fig. – a position or state of mind.
While the majority of preachers use this scripture to justify a rapture. The “them” being spoken of here, are the kings of the earth, as mentioned a few verses earlier.
It is more relevant to understand the scripture as the figurative when weighing it with the following:
“And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb” Revelation 6:15-16
Satan will induce a state of mind in the people of the world that will stand in opposition to God’s commands, His forever covenants. Like Sabbath and Passover.
The government will introduce mandates (like masks and social distancing) which (supposedly) include everyone. Then mandates will become specific to groups. (Already seeing some of that with the holiday gathering orders and rioting getting preferential treatment)
The citizenry will turn nanny state and and any nonconformist will become an immediate target for ridicule. (Again already happing with masks but will turn to religious affiliations and public celebrations)
“Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” Mark 13:12-13
This is the state of mind that leads both of these groups to persecute the saints of the tribulation.
“He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.”
Revelation 3:5
“After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.” Revelation 7:9-10
“And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” Revelation 7:14
These zealots of conformity will seek the death penalty for anyone refusing the mandates.
Again God addresses this in the Revelation to John.
“And the dragon (Satan) was wroth with the woman,(assembly of believers) and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Revelation 12:17
“Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Revelation 14:12
The second coming will not be some secret kidnapping of property. It will be a glorious (Titus 2:13) event where God puts the epic ‘smack down’ on sin and claims his prized possession in mankind!
Berean Breadcrumbs 
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